Splash 8.10.25

Dear Dryden Families,

With the first day of school quickly approaching, I want to share how grateful I am for the warm welcome I’ve received from the Dryden community. As I begin my first year as principal, I’m more excited than ever to be part of this vibrant, caring school.

While I bring many years of experience as a school leader, I know that getting to know our students and their families is the most important first step. Building strong relationships with you helps me partner with parents and guardians to support our students, not only as learners, but also as responsible, kind, and confident young people.

There are several opportunities coming up for us to connect, and I hope to see you at one or more of these events:

• Kindergarten Meet and Greet | Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 6:30–7:30 PM on the Dryden playground
  
  

• PTA Meet and Greet & Ice Cream Social | Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 2:30–4:00 PM in classrooms and the Commons
  
  

• PTA Welcome Coffee | Friday, August 21, 2025, from 9:15–10:00 AM in the Commons
  
  

• Principal’s Open Door | Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6:30–7:00 PM, followed by our PTA meeting (Everyone is welcome!)
  More Principal’s Open Door dates will be shared throughout the school year. I look forward to ongoing conversations with you!
  
  

Please know that my door is always open. Whether you have a question, a concern, or just want to stop in for a conversation, I encourage you to call, email, say hello during arrival or dismissal, or drop by. I’m here to support you and your children every step of the way.

I can’t wait to kick off a joyful, successful school year together!

Warmly,

Jessica Martinsen

Nothing says “Arlington Heights summer” like Frontier Days and the 4th of July parade! 🎆 Here’s my husband, Tod, and me soaking up the live music vibes at Frontier Day. We try to hit it every night if we can. Mark your calendar for next July… we’ll save you a spot! 🎶🌟

Our teachers are hard at work getting our classrooms and hallways ready to be filled with laughter and learning.

We are excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten families to a beloved Dryden tradition, the PTA Kindergarten Meet & Greet! Join us on Tuesday, August 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on the Dryden School playground for an evening of play, connection, and a special treat.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet new classmates and for families to begin building community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Please note: If the weather is inclement, this event will be rescheduled to Thursday, August 14 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Parents will be notified via email.

We warmly invite incoming kindergarteners and new students to tour Dryden School with their parents on Wednesday, August 13, beginning at 2:00 PM. Our amazing 5th grade student ambassadors will lead the tours, which will last approximately 30 minutes. It’s a great chance for new students to become familiar with the school and feel at home before the first day!

RSVP’s are required. Please click here to RSVP. The deadline to RSVP is noon on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Class assignments will be emailed on Thursday, August 14, to families who have completed the online registration process. Please note that because emails are sent out district-wide, delivery times may vary. You may receive your assignment at a different time than others in our school community. We appreciate your patience as the system works to send out all assignments throughout the day!

Dryden staff will be wearing our staff shirts and ID badges—we’re here to help you find your way and make you feel at home! We’re excited to welcome you and look forward to getting to know you.

Event Schedule:
2:30 – 3:15 PM – Visit classrooms and meet your teachers
3:15 – 4:00 PM – Enjoy a sweet treat in the Commons, courtesy of our wonderful PTA!

To help keep our school clean and safe, we kindly ask that all food and drinks stay in the Commons. Please avoid bringing them into the hallways or classrooms.

Schedule for the Day

• 8:50 am - Arrival / Staff Supervision begins

• 9:05 am - Tardy Bell

• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Lunch / Recess for Kindergarten & 1st Grade

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch / Recess for 2nd & 4th Grade

• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch / Recess for 3rd & 5th Grade

• 3:35 pm - Dismissal

*Please look for an email on Friday, August 15 detailing arrival, dismissal, carline, parking and lunch hour procedures.

Come meet Principal Jessica Martinsen, Assistant Principal Dr. Beth Glass, PTA representatives, and fellow Dryden families! This is a great opportunity to learn about school procedures, ask questions, and share your ideas for helping Dryden Elementary be the best it can be.

We’d love to know if you’re coming! Please click here to RSVP by noon on Wednesday, August 20!

A Special Evening for Parents

This evening is designed just for parents to learn more about the exciting learning experiences planned for the year ahead. Teachers will share important information about classroom expectations, curriculum highlights, and how we’ll support your child’s growth and success at Dryden.

Evening Schedule:
6:00 – 6:40 PM – Classroom Presentations (Grades 3–5)
6:25 – 7:05 PM – Visit with Specials Teachers & Support Staff
6:50 – 7:30 PM – Classroom Presentations (Grades K–2)

We look forward to partnering with you for a wonderful year!

Families are welcome to drop off school supplies in classrooms during the Meet & Greet Ice Cream Social on August 20, or students may bring them on the first day of school, August 21.

If you pre-ordered a school supply kit through the PTA, it will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom before the Meet & Greet event.

Click here to view school supply lists for all grade levels.

Please click on the following links for more information:

• Where can I view the school lunch menu? Click Here
• How does my student order a school lunch? Click Here
• How do I pay for my child’s meals? Click Here
• How do I apply for free & reduced meals? Click Here

For further details on D25 Food & Nutrition Services, please click here.

Hey Dryden, have you signed up to receive our monthly newsletter? It's the best way to stay up-to-date on all of our events and includes lots of information and important details. We are using it as a primary resource for all things PTA. Click on the website to get signed up: www.DrydenPTA.org!

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram!

Support a great cause through Dryden's Annual Fall Mum Sale!

Order by September 1st. Pick-up at Dryden on Sunday, September 21st 9:15-10:00am.

Order here: https://dryden2025-fall-mum-sale.cheddarup.com

Time to show your school spirit, Dryden Dolphins! Our Spirit Wear sale is open and runs ALL SEMESTER! Check out all of the new styles and ship directly to your house!

Shop here: Dryden PTA Spirit Wear Sale

Celebrate the first day/weekend of the school year by grabbing some Berry Yo! The Dryden Elementary PTA is thrilled to announce our upcoming fundraiser at Berry Yo frozen yogurt!

When: Thursday, August 21st – Sunday, August 24th

Simply visit Berry Yo anytime between August 21st and August 24th and when you make your purchase, be sure to mention that you are with Dryden Elementary. A portion of all sales from our dedicated days will be donated directly back to the Dryden PTA.

Purchase your 2025-2026 Dryden Yearbook by September 30th to receive a 10% discount! If you have questions or need help setting up your TreeRing Yearbook account, please email drydenelementaryyearbook@gmail.com.

Purchase Yearbooks Here: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014123635244163

We've had a busy summer planning for an exciting school year ahead & are excited to see everyone back at Dryden! We’d like to thank the countless PTA chairs and volunteers who have been working hard to get everything in place for a successful back-to-school season - we couldn’t do it without you! If you’re interested in getting more involved by volunteering or chairing a program, send us an email at drydenpta@gmail.com

Mary Cape, President

Elizabeth Choporis, Executive Vice President/President-Elect

Liz Madison, Treasurer

Cortney Bindrich, Secretary

Kate Bode & Carrie Martinka, VPs of Administration

Kristen Smith & Jenda Phok, VPs of Children’s Programs

Julie Schuman & Cameron Weber, VPs of Ways & Means

PTA is seeking Room Representatives for each classroom. Room Reps connect classroom parents, plan & facilitate classroom parties, and help teachers with other needs throughout the year. The form to sign up, along with more information, will go out via email on Monday, August 18th at 7pm. Please contact Lisa Mazur, Room Rep Chair, at lisamazur620@gmail.com with any questions.

Please visit the PTA website at www.drydenpta.org and sign up to receive the PTA newsletter. It’s PTA's primary resource and the best way to stay up-to-date on upcoming events or easily access pertinent information.

Ukraine Independence Day takes place on August 24 and it marks Ukraine's declaration of independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is the most popular day of the year for Ukrainians around the world.

Established by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote, and to encourage the ongoing efforts for women’s equality in all areas of American life.